Das Lakshan or Paryushan Parv of the Jains: Significance

Das Lakshan or Paryushan Parv of the Jains: Significance

In 2025, the Digambar Jains' Das Lakshan Parv, also known as Paryushan, will be observed from Saturday, August 30 to Monday, September 8. While Shwetambars will celebrate the festival from Friday, August 22 - Friday, August 29, 2025.

This Jain festival urges the followers to practice introspection, spiritual reflection, and seeking forgiveness during the period of festival. However, for observant of 'Maskhaman' fasting, the complete month of Bhadrapada is devoted is spent on fasting.

It is held that fasting purifies body and mind with emphasis on renunciation and asceticism. Some devout even fast or perform 'Maskhaman' for 31 days and just subsist on just boiled water.

For Das Lakshana, the following ten'holy virtues' are reflected on and practiced during the festival

• Uttam Kshama or right forbearance

• Uttam Mardava or right modesty

• Uttam Aarjava or straightforwardness

• Uttam Shoch or purity

• Uttam Satya or truth

• Uttam Sanyam or supreme restraint

• Uttam Tap or austerity

• Uttam Tyaga or renunciation

• Uttam Aakinchanya or non-attachment

• Uttam Brahmcharya or supreme celibacy

At the conclusion of the festival, the observant request each other for forgiveness for all offenses caused knowingly or unknowingly during the last year by saying Micchami Dukkadam or Uttam Kshama to each other.